Printing machine



PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 14 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet xl Il k IN VEN TOR` BY M4 @Mgr W ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1932. E. L. WALKER ET 'AL 1,840,068

PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z5 Z/ TOR INVEN c am Zz 7?? im Zd Mm* ATTORNEYS,

Jn.. 5, 1932. v I Ev W/.xLKEp-v ET AL 1,840,068

PRINTlNG MACHINE Filed March 14, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 BY @am Z/ ww l, ,l ATTORNEYS.

i, Patented Jan. li, 1932 UNITED s'lA'rEs PATENT OFFICE EMERY L. WALK'ER, OF WAUWA'IOSA, .AN D ARTHUR W. .WERNEIQ OF MILWAUKEE WIS- CONSIN, ASSIGNOR-S T0 KIECKHEFER CONTAINER COMPANY, 0F MILWAUKEE, WIS- CONSIN, A CORPORATION OF MAINE PRINTING MACHINE Application led March 14, 1930. Serial No. 435,803.

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines.

In the paper box making industry, the printing upon the cartons or containers is performed on the fiat cardboard before all the steps necessary to produce the container are completed. Heretofore, a heavy ink, very similar to paint has beenused. This inkfwas very slow in drying, and consequently, the

m remaining lsteps in producing the container had to be postponed for a considerable period of time toV prevent smearing of the ink before it had become sufficiently dry. Various attempts have been made to use a fast drying ink, but these were unsuccessful due to thefact that the ink would dry upon the rollers of the printing press and, as a result, would build up upon them. uThis would necessitate frequent removal and cleaning of the rollers which would interrupt the process of printing. y

. It is one of the objects of this invention to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties and to provide a printing machine which is designed to use a fast drying ink, and which is so constructed as to prevent the ink from drying and building up on the rollers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a printing press in which an etched im- 36 pression roller is utilized and in which a body of fresh ink is kept in constant Contact with said impression roller to keep all inkv thereon in a solvent state so as to eliminate the possibility of the ink drying and building up on said roller.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved printing machine in which novel means is provided for keeping the ink in circulation and for maintaining it' at a constant consistency.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved printing machine which is comparatively simpl'e in construction,efficient .in operation,and well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved printing machine, and all its parts and combinations, as set yforth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, parts being f" broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2; A

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. .2; Y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the ink circulating mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a side view elevation of the ink circulating mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the impression roller. y

Referring to the drawings, the numeral `12 designates a frame for supporting a platform 13 over which sheets of fiberboard or other material, upon which the printing is to be done, are passed. The vertical frame members extend upwardly above the platform as at 14; to support upper side members 15. Positioned between spaced apart guide members 16 are vertically slidable bearing blocks 17. Coil springs 18 are positioned between the bearing blocks 17 and the lower ends of adjustment bolts 19.

. J ournaled in the bearing blocks 17 is a shaft 20 carrying a rigidly mounted impression roller 21. The latter roller carries on its outer surface plates 22 which are etched with the desired design so that the characters are depressed therein as at 23 see Fig.. 8).

A supporting roller 24, whic is positioned below a recess 25 in the platform 13, is mounted rigidly on a shaft 26. The latter is journaled below the platform in bearings 27. A gear 28, rigidly mounted on the shaft 2O engages a gear 29 rigidly mounted on the shaft 26. The shaft 26 also carries a rigidly mounted sprocket wheel 30 which is connected by an endless chain 31 with a sprocket wheel 32 rigidly mounted on the drive shaft of a motor 33.

A rod 34, which extends between bearings on the upper side members 15, carries rigidly mounted, depending brackets 35. A scraper or doctor blade 36, supported by said brackets, engages the impression roller, as shown in Fig. 3. End shields 37, having a bore 38 through which the shaft 20 extends., are positioned on each end of the impression roller. rlhe said end shields are formed with an interior chamber or channel 39 and with a lower spout portion 4() for guiding ink which has run off of the ends of the doctor blade into an ink drain pan 41 which is positioned below each of said end shields. The ink pans are provided with lower drain openings 42 and 43. Brackets 44, which extend upwardly from the ink pans, serveA to rigidly support the end shields.

An ink supply vpipe 45, which extends transversely of the printing platform, has branches 46 and 47 1extending therefrom, the said branches connecting with a feed pipe 48 having lower perforations 49. rlhe feed pipe,

which is positioned above the impression roller and behind the doctor blade is adapted to apply a continuous flow of ink upon the impression roller. The said ink accumulates behind the doctor blade as shown in Fig. 3, thereby keeping a relatively large body of ink in constant contact with the impression roller. AsA the roller. revolves and. passes the doctor blade, all of the ink will be removed'from its surface by said blade, except that contained in the depressions, the latter being deposited upon the sheet which is to be printed upon to form the desired printed matter. After the ink has been transferred to the sheet, any coating which remains upon the plates will be immediately redissolved by the body of fresh ink behind the doctor blade. Therefore, building up of hardened ink on the roller will be entirely eliminated, making it possible to utilize a rapidly drying ink in the printing machine.

An auxiliary frame 50, positioned adjacent an end of the frame 12, supports the ink circulating mechanism. A platform 51 for said mechanism is positioned on an intermediate portion of the frame. Mounted on said platform are ink circulating pumps 52 and 53 having drive shafts 54 and 55 ext-ending therefrom.' The latter shafts carry rigidly mounted ears 56 and 57 respectively, which mesh wit opposite sides of a pinion 58 mounted rigidly onthe drive shaft of a motor 59.

A tubular line 60 extends from the opening 43 of one of the drip pans 41 to one side of the pump 53. A pipe line 6l extends from the top of said pump upwardly and then horizontally to connect with a three-way valve 62. An L-shaped pipe'63 extends fromv the valve 62 and is arranged to discharge into an ink storage tank 64. l

Another tubular line 65 extends from the terrace-e opening 42 of the other drippan 41 to an angular section of pipe 66, the latter connecting with the pump 52. From the latter pump, a pipe extends upwardly and connects with the pipe line 61.

A coupling 67 extending from the threeway valve 62 connects with another three-way valve 68. From the latter valveva drain pipe 69 extends in one direction and a coupling 70 in the other direction, the latter connecting with a strainer tank 71. From'the strainer tank, a tubular line 72 extends upwardly to join the pipe 45 adjacent the printing mechamsm.

A storage tank 73 for vehicle which is to be added to "the ink in the system is mounted on an upper portion of the frame 50.' From said tank a pipe line 74 extends downwardly and connects with the pipe section 66. ln the pipe line 74 i's a sight feed needle valve 75 and aball check valve 76.

Extending from a rlshaped fitting 77 in the pipe section 66 is a short pipe 78 which extends to an opening in the bottom of the storage tank 64. In the pipe line 78 is a needle valve 7 9.

In operation, the motor 59 is set in opera tion to start the pumps 52 and 53. Next, the valve 79 is' manipulated to cause a flow of ink from' the storage tank 64. The said ink will run through the fitting 77, through a portion of the pipe line 66, through the pump 52 and into the pipe line 61. The valves 62 and 68 are set to cause the ink to flow through the strainer 71 and into the tubular line 72 leading to the pipe 45. From the pipe 45 the ink passes through the'branch lines 46 and 47 to the perforated pipe 48 above the impression roller. The latter pipe will cause a continuous flow of ink to be deposited upon the roller 22. The said ink accumulates behind the doctor blade 36 and the portion of the roller which has passed said doctor blade, when the printing machine is set in operation, will have all ink removed therefrom except that contained by the depressions 23. The latter ink will be transferred as printed matter to the sheet of material as it passes over the platform 13 between the impression roller 22 and the supporting roller 24. Any coating of ink which remains upon the impression roller, after it leaves the sheet will be immediately redissolved by the body of fresh ink behind the doctor blade, and thus building up of hardened ink upon the roller 1s prevented, and the use of a rapidly drying ink is rendered practical. I

The body Yof ink behind the doctor blade will naturally tend to flow oil' of the roller, at the ends thereof. This ink will be guided by the channels 39 in the end shields 37 into the drip pans 41. f From one of the drip pans the ink flows through the tubular line 65 back to the pipe section 66 of the circulating system. From the other drip pan, the ink ows through the tubular line 60 to the pump 53. When there is sufficient ink circulating in the system, the needle valve 7 9 is closed and the same ink is circulated over and over again.

In order to keep the ink in the system at a constant consistency so as to prevent thickening thereof, the tank 7 3, containing extra vehicle, is utilized. By adjusting the sight valve 7'5 in the pipe line 74, the said vehicle may be permitted to drip or flow slowly into the circulating system to replace that lost by evaporation.

At night, or at other times when it is desired to drain the system, the valve 62 is manipulated to cause the ink to iiow back into the storage tank 64 through the pipe 63, Where it Will be kept until necessary for further use. If it is desired to permanently drain the system, the valve 68 is turned to direct the ink out through the drain pipe 69.

F rom the foregoing description, it may be seen that an improved printing machine has been provided which permits the use of a rapidly drying ink, the said ink being kept at a constant consistency and in constant circulation. lIt may further be seen that printing upon the sheets is accomplished by an etchedimpression roller, and that a substantial body of ink is kept is constant contact with a portion of said roller for the purpose of supplying ink thereto and for redissolving any ink which may have hardened upon said roller.

Although only one form of the invention has been shown and described, it is not desired to be limited to' the exact showing, as

the broad concept of the invention includes all changes and modifications as may come Within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a printing machine, an impression roller for printing upon material which is passed therebeneath, means for keeping a substantial bod of ink iniiuid form in direct contact with said roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve unused ink, and means adj acent an end of the roller for guiding ink from said body of ink away from the end of the roller. r

2. In a printing machine, an impression roller for printing uponmaterial which is passed therebeneath, means engageable with said roller for keeping a substantial body of ink in Huid form in direct contact with said roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve unused ink', a drip ,pan positioned adjacent an end of the roller, and an end shield adjacent said end of the roller for guiding ink from said body of ink away from said end of the roller into said drip pan.

3. In a printing machine, an etched impression roller for printing upon-material which has passed therebeneath, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding a continuous iow of ink to the roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in fluid form is kept in direct contact with the roller, said doctor blade servinof to remove all ink from the portion of the rfi-ller which passes it, except that contained in the etched portions thereof, and said body of mk acting to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated on the roller, a drip pan positioned adjacent an end of the roller. an end shield adjacent saida end of the roller for guiding ink from said body of ink away from said end of the roller into said drip pan, and means between said drip pan and said ink feeding means for recirculating the ink from the drippan.

4. In a printing machine, a rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding a flow of ink to said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink inv iiuid form is keptin direct contact With the roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, means adjacent an end of the roller for guiding ink from the body of ink away from the end of the roller, and means between said last mentioned means and the ink feeding means for causing recirculation of the ink.

5. In a printing machine, a. rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding a flow of ink to said roller Y behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in fiuid form is kept in direct contact with the roller to supply ink thereto .and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, means adjacent an end of the roller for guiding ink from the body of ink away from the end of the roller, tubular members between said last lnentioned means and the ink feeding means, and pump mechanism in connection with said tubular members for keeping the ink in circulation.

6. In a printing machine, a rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding a. flow of ink to said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in fiuid form is kept in direct contact with the roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, means adjacent an end of the roller for guiding ink from the body of ink away from the end of the roller, tubular members between said last mentioned means and the ink feeding means, pump mechanism in connection with said tubular members for keeping the ink in circulation, and means for adding vehicle to the ink to replace that lost by evaporation. v

7. In a printing machine, a rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding a flow of ink to said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in Huid form is kept in direct contact with the roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, means adjacent an end of the roller for guiding ink from the body of ink away from the end of the roller, means between said last mentioned means and the ink feeding means for causing recirculation of the ink, a supply tank for vehicle to replace that lost by evaporation during the printing operation, and connections between said supply tank and the ink circulating means.

8. In a printing machine, a rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding ink to said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in Huid form is kept in direct contact with the roller to supply inh thereto and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, and a shield positioned adjacent an end of the roller and having a channel formed therein provided with an open upper portion ot greater width than the body of ink positioned closely adjacent the end of the roller for guiding ink from the body ot inh away from said end.

9. In a printing machine, a rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding ink said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in ifiuid form is hept in direct Contact with the roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, and a. shield positioned adjacent an to conform to the periphery of the rollerand positioned closely adjacent the end of the roller iorguiding mh from the body of ink away from said end.

10. In a printing machine, a rotatable roller, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means for feeding inli. to said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in fluid form is lrept in direct Contact with the roller to supply inlr 'thereto and to redissolve unused inh which has accumulated thereon, a shield each end of the roller having a channel formed therein provided with an open upper portion of greater width than the width of the body of inlr 'for guiding ink from the body of inl; away trom the end of the roller, and a pan adjacent each end of the roller for receiving ink "from the shields.

l1. In a printing machine, a driven shaft, a roller fixed on said shalt, a doctor blade engageable with said roller, means 'for feeding a How of ink to said roller behind said doctor blade so that a substantial body of ink in fluid form is kept in direct contact with the roller to supply inh thereto and to redissolve unused ink which has accumulated thereon, and a shield having a bore through which the driven shait loosely entends, said shield being formed with a channel communieating with the periphery of the roller adjacent the end thereof for conducting ink from the body of ink away from the end of the roller.

l2. In a printing machine, a roller, means for maintaining a body of ink in contact with a portion of said roller to supply ink thereto and to redissolve hardened unused ink thereon, means for collecting surplus ink from said body of ink, ink feeding means, conduits leading from said collecting means to said feeding means, a pump in connection with said conduits, a storage tank, means for conducting ink to and from' said storage tank and conduits, and valve mechanism for controlling the flow to and from the storage tank to provide for circulation of ink independently of said tank.

In testimony whereof we amx our signaturesn EMERY L. WALKER. ARTHUR 'W1 'WERNER 

